Graduation Video Goes Viral for Looking Like a Movie Trailer

When it came time to send out the traditional graduation party invites, Cydnee Patterson of Beaumont, Texas wanted to find a unique way to reach her family and friends. Teaming up with her friend Dareas Scott of Nightfall Motion Pictures, the pair created a graduation video. And while the recent graduate, who just earned a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction - Reading Education from Prairie View A&M University, only intended for the virtual invitation to be a "easier, faster" option to the traditional paper method, it has since gone viral.

Her newfound internet fame occurred after Cydnee's little brother Darrell Patterson posted the video to his Twitter account, writing: "My sisters graduation video looks like a whole movie trailer." At first, her didn't tell her that he was posting the video, but then "it blew up" and he told Teen Vogue that "I just had to text my sister to let her know. She was just as shocked as me."

It's easy to see why others have enjoyed the cinematic quality of the clip. The video opens with a voice over from Cydnee explaining her struggles over the past few years, saying: "There's been times when I wanted to give up....But my faith was too big." She then recites a bible verse from Psalm 46:5, before the mood of the video quickly changes. The moving music that opens the trailer is replaced with Drake's track "God's Plan" and Cydnee is filmed walking through her university, striking poses, dancing, and smiling. The moment ends with her smashing a plastic apple filled with confetti.

According to the graduate, she chose the content of her video based on her faith. "While obtaining this degree, life brought me through a ton of ups and downs," she told Teen Vogue. "I could’ve let my emotions get to me and deter me away from achieving won of my goals easily. Every time I felt like I was close to that point I relied on all the things I was taught in church. I chose Drake's song "God's Plan," because everything I do, have done and will do is all apart of God's Plan. I may not always understand why I have to encounter certain experiences but I trust God is making me better."

Cydnee also explained to Teen Vogue that she has been "caught off guard" by the internet's support. "I honestly just downloaded Twitter a week prior, just so I could follow Kanye West’s Tweets. And believe it or not this particular version of the video, was only meant for family to see because the introduction was so personal to me. But I’m glad to see the positive feedback that it has gotten."

Now that she's graduated with her latest degree and earned the approval of social media, Cydnee is looking forward to the future. She's planning to apply for a Doctorate program, and also has some advice for others pursuing their educational endeavors. "Don’t give up, no matter how bad it may get the reward at the end is better," she said. "You may have to miss out on a few social events here or there but that’s a temporary sacrifice for your future self. Stay the course and have faith and a little patience. Celebrate every one of your accomplishments whether big or small. Trust God."